Melvyn North (2011) - Hall of Fame

Melvyn North

Induction:
2011

North was the first coach of the UCLA Fencing program. Bringing 25 years of coaching experience to the team, North coached the UCLA Fencing Club and Varsity program from 1960-1974 and returned to coach two more years, from 1980-82. During that time, UCLA Fencing teams compiled an intercollegiate record of 218-18 in dual and tri meets, including a string of 174 consecutive victories. Along the way, UCLA became the first West Coast school to defeat the Air Force Academy, the perennial power in the sport of fencing. After retiring to Colorado in 1974, North returned to UCLA in 1980 to a program that had fallen to the bottom of collegiate fencing. In two short years, North resurrected the program, and the Bruins won the NCAA Western Regional of Fencing by defeating the Air Force Academy in the final match. North's significant collegiate accomplishments include founding the Intercollegiate Fencing Conference, creating the UCLA Invitational Fencing Tournament, and bringing the U.S. National Championships to UCLA. Including individual and team competition for men and women, North led UCLA to 19 collegiate championships. A teaching professional for more than 40 years, North is recognized as a leading teacher and innovator in modern fencing and was one of the mentors in the writing of the first tests for Masters for the U.S. National Coaches Association. He was inducted as a member of the World Masters Federation in 1956. On eight occasions he was coach of the U.S. World team, and North's students have participated in or on 50 World teams, six Olympic Games, seven Pan-Am teams, and 15 World Cups.